NZBDav Feature Request: Implement Categories For Easy Sorting

Hey everyone!

I'm excited to propose a feature enhancement for NZBDav that I believe will significantly improve its usability and organization: the implementation of categories, similar to the functionality found in SABnzbd. This feature would allow users to automatically sort downloaded content into designated folders, such as "completed/movies" or "completed/tv shows," streamlining the management of downloaded files and making it easier to integrate with media server software like Plex.

The Need for Categories

Currently, NZBDav downloads content to a single designated folder. While this works, it can become quite cumbersome to manually sort and organize these files, especially for users who download a variety of content types. This manual sorting process is time-consuming and prone to errors, leading to a less-than-ideal user experience. Implementing categories would automate this process, saving users valuable time and effort.

Think about it, guys: how much easier would it be if your movies automatically landed in your "Movies" folder and your TV shows went straight to your "TV Shows" directory? No more sifting through piles of files – just clean, organized content ready to be enjoyed. This is the kind of convenience we're aiming for.

SABnzbd's Category Functionality as a Model

SABnzbd's category system provides an excellent model for how this could be implemented in NZBDav. As highlighted in this Reddit thread, SABnzbd allows users to define categories with specific download folders. When a download is initiated, it can be assigned to a category, and upon completion, the content is automatically moved to the corresponding folder. This simple yet powerful feature significantly enhances the user experience.

Imagine the possibilities: you could set up categories for movies, TV shows, music, documentaries, and more. Each time you download something, you simply assign it to the appropriate category, and NZBDav takes care of the rest. It's like having a personal librarian for your downloads! This would be a game-changer for organization and efficiency.

Addressing Plex Integration Challenges

One of the key motivations behind this feature request is to improve integration with media server software like Plex. Many users, including myself, host their Plex servers on platforms where traditional symlinking methods may not be feasible. In my specific case, my Plex server is hosted on a Windows VM, which limits my ability to point library folders directly to Arr symlinks directories. While Arrs (like Sonarr and Radarr) are incredibly useful for tracking and fetching new content, the lack of automated sorting makes it challenging to integrate downloaded content seamlessly with Plex.

By implementing categories in NZBDav, we can overcome this limitation. Downloaded content can be automatically sorted into designated folders that Plex can easily monitor, ensuring that new media is added to the library without manual intervention. This is a crucial step in creating a truly automated media management workflow.

Let's break it down further: right now, if you're in a similar situation, you're likely downloading content, then manually moving it to your Plex library folders. This is a hassle, and it's something we can fix with categories. By having NZBDav automatically sort your downloads, you're essentially creating a direct pipeline to your Plex library. Think of the time you'll save! This integration would be a huge win for Plex users.

Proposed Implementation Details

While the specific implementation details would need to be fleshed out, here's a high-level overview of how categories could be implemented in NZBDav:

1. Category Definition: A new section in the NZBDav settings would allow users to define categories. Each category would have a name (e.g., "Movies," "TV Shows") and a corresponding download folder (e.g., "completed/movies," "completed/tv shows").
2. Category Assignment: When initiating a download, users would have the option to assign it to a category. This could be implemented as a dropdown menu or a similar selection mechanism.
3. Automatic Sorting: Upon completion of the download, NZBDav would automatically move the content to the designated folder based on the assigned category.

To make this even more user-friendly, we could explore options like automatic category assignment based on file extensions or naming conventions. Imagine NZBDav intelligently sorting your downloads without you even having to lift a finger! That's the level of automation we should strive for.

Benefits of Implementing Categories

Implementing categories in NZBDav would provide numerous benefits, including:

• Improved Organization: Automatically sort downloaded content into designated folders.
• Enhanced User Experience: Streamline the management of downloaded files.
• Seamless Plex Integration: Facilitate the integration with media server software like Plex.
• Time Savings: Eliminate the need for manual sorting.
• Increased Efficiency: Automate the content management workflow.

In short, guys, this feature would make NZBDav a much more powerful and user-friendly tool. It's about making our lives easier and more enjoyable.

Conclusion

I believe that implementing categories in NZBDav would be a valuable addition that would significantly enhance its usability and organization. By drawing inspiration from SABnzbd's category functionality, we can create a system that automates the sorting of downloaded content, making it easier to manage files and integrate with media server software like Plex. I urge the developers to consider this feature request and explore the possibilities of its implementation.

Let's make NZBDav even better! What do you guys think? Share your thoughts and ideas in the comments below! Your feedback is crucial in shaping the future of this awesome tool.

Additional Considerations

Beyond the core functionality, there are a few additional considerations that could further enhance the category feature:

• Default Categories: Predefined categories for common content types (e.g., Movies, TV Shows, Music) could be provided to get users started quickly.
• Category-Specific Post-Processing: Allow users to define post-processing scripts or actions for specific categories. For example, a script could be run to automatically rename files or update metadata.
• Category-Based Priority: Implement the ability to prioritize downloads based on their category.

These are just a few ideas to get the ball rolling. The possibilities are endless, and with your input, we can make this feature truly exceptional.

Thank you for considering this feature request. I look forward to hearing your feedback and seeing the potential improvements that can be made to NZBDav.

Let's Discuss!

I'd love to hear your thoughts on this proposal. Do you think categories would be a valuable addition to NZBDav? Are there any specific features or functionalities you'd like to see included? Share your feedback in the comments below!

This is a community effort, and your input is essential. Let's work together to make NZBDav the best it can be!

Open Questions and Challenges

Of course, implementing a feature like this comes with its own set of challenges. Here are a few open questions and potential hurdles that would need to be addressed:

• User Interface Design: How can we create a user-friendly interface for defining and managing categories?
• Integration with Existing Download Mechanisms: How will categories integrate with the current download workflow in NZBDav?
• Performance Considerations: Will the automatic sorting process impact download speeds or overall performance?

These are important questions that need to be answered during the development process. But I'm confident that with careful planning and execution, we can overcome these challenges and create a robust and efficient category system.

Call to Action

If you support this feature request, please show your support by upvoting this post and leaving a comment. The more support we can gather, the more likely it is that this feature will be implemented.

Let's make our voices heard! Together, we can make NZBDav an even better tool for managing our downloads.